Machine for equalizing tension in rubber threads before feeding the threads to thread covering machines



March 21, 1950 A SCHIAPPA 2,501,413

MACHINE FOR EQUALIZINC TENSION IN RUBBER THREADS BEFORE FEEDING THE THREADS TO THREAD COVERING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. fin tonic Jcbz'appa.

f n-l 6% 4 W March 21, 1950 A. SCHIAPPA 2,501,413

MACHINE FOR EQUALIZING TENSION IN RUBBER THREADS BEFORE FEEDING THE THREADS T0 THREAD COVERING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. .flnloflio Sc/Iiappa.

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March 21, 1950 A.- SCHIAPPA 2,501,413

MACHINE FOR EQUALIZING TENSION IN RUBBER THREADS BEFORE FEEDING THE THREADS T0 THREAD COVERING MACHINES Filed Oct. 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (/P 76 NEXT LHIEGER MM UP 7'0 Nzxr Z: lmvassr 211m. 01v Co/va Qau/v lkoM SMnu. .5111 ON (Io/v5 UP K: LflEGES 0E 4T UP 76 Sun D AM- .D/nm.0- CONE /44 ON; ;0/v(:) 3

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Patented Mar. 21, 1950 MACHINE FOR: EQUALIZING TENSION IN RUBBER THREADS BEFORE FEEDING THE THREADS TO THREAD COVERING MA- CHINES Anthony Schiappa, Pawtucket, R. I., assignor to Moore Fabric Company, Pawtucket, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application October 20, 1948, Serial No. 55,606

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machines in which covered rubber threads are produced. It has been-customary to provide a bunch of threads equal in number to a selected set of covering spindles, and such bunches of threads have commonly been shipped in large cans in which they were loosely coiled. It has also been customary to separate and rewind these threads on winding drums, and to thereafter deliver the separated threads from the drums to the covering spindles.

More recently, it has been proposed to omit the rewinding and to deliver the threads direct from the can to the spindles. With this latter procedure, however, it has been found necessary to provide means for equalizing the tension in the different threads in a bunch of threads before delivering the threads for covering.

It is a major object of my present invention to provide improved mechanism for thus equalizing the thread tension in a bunch of threads just prior to delivery of said threads to a set of covering spindles.

I also provide a single tension mechanism for all of the threads to be supplied to a double covering machine, together with means for dividing the threads for two separate sets of spindles. I also provide an improved, simplified and direct drive for the tensioning pulley and for the delivery rolls.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. a

A preferred form of the invention is shown in tensioning and equalizing mechanism, which mechanism is preferably mounted at one end of a commercial covering machine M.

The tensioning and equalizing mechanism in cludes fixed upright frame members I and II which support bearingsfIZ for a shaft I4 which is continuously rotated'and which is provided with a cone pulley P having steps I5, I6, I1 and I8 of progressively increasing diameter.

The shaft I4 has a sprocket connected by a chain 2I to a. sp ocket 22 on a lower shaft 24 mounted in fixed bearings 25 and continuously rotated through bevel gears 26 from any convenient source of power, such as the main spindle drive shaft of the covering machine M.

A plurality of guide-bars 30, 3| and 32 are.

mounted in brackets 33 secured to the upright frame members III and I I and substantially below the bearings I2 for the shaft I4. A plurality of guide rods 40, 4|, 42 and 43 are mounted on a supporting arm 44 which is bolted to the upright I0 and which is positioned above but adjacent to the guide-bars 30, 3| and 32.

The guide-rods are fixed in position during the operation of the machine but are so mounted on the arm 44 that their angular positions may be adjusted.

An upper guide-bar is mounted substantially above the shaft I4 and the cone pulley P, and may conveniently be supported from the ceiling of the covering room. A second upper guide-baril is mounted adjacent but below the guide-bar 50 and may be suspended therefrom.

Delivery rolls and SI are fixed to the opposite ends of the lower shaft 24 and are positively rotated thereby. Pressure rolls 62 are positioned above the rolls GI) and BI and rest thereon. The rolls 62 may be vertically guided by slotted depending arms 64. Lower guide rolls 66 are rotatably mounted on "studs 6'! secured to the uprights Ill and I I. Combs Ill and H are mounted in fixed position above the rolls 62.

The path of the bunch of rubber threads is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by a broken line L, and the paths of delivery of the tensioned and separated threads to the combs 70 and II are indicated by the broken lines L and L2.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the bunch of threads L is drawn upward from the can C to the lower ceiling bar 5i as indicated at 80. These threads are then drawn downward as shown at SI and pass under the front guidebar 32 and also under the rear guide-bar 30. These threads then pass upward as indicated at 82 and are guided by the guide-rod 40 to the smallest step l5 of the cone pulley P. The threads then descend from the cone step I5 and pass under the guide-bar 30 and are again guided upward to the cone step I6 by the guide-rod M as indicated at 83.

The threads from the step I6 are again passed under the guide-bar 30 and are guided upward by the guide-rod 42 to the cone step H as indicated at 84. The threads are then passed once more under the guide-bar 30 and are directed upward 3 by the guide-rod" to the cone step I! as indicated at ll.

Fromtheeonestep isthethreadssredirected under the guide-bars 8i and 8! as indicated at it and then pass upward at O1 to the top ceiling bar 50 where they are separated into two sroups.

These groups oi threads then pass downward as indicated at L and L2 to the combs II and II and to the delivery rolls Cl and ll. The separated threads then pass under the lower guiderolls 68 and are drawn upward throush spaced guide-eyes 90 (Fig. 2) to the covering spindles (not shown).

with thread-tensioning mechanism operating as above described, the rubber threads are uniiormly tensioned without imparting twist to the threads at any point, and the threads are delivered in separated and uniformly tensioned condition through the combs II and H to the delivery rolls 60 and ti and thence to the covering spindles.

My improved tension mechanism is simple in construction and operation and has been found very effective and reliable in actual use.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof 1 do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. In a thread tensioning machine, a cone tensioning pulley having steps of progressively greater diameter toward the delivery end thereof and each step being adapted to support a plurality of threads, means to rotate said pulley, a guide-bar parallel to the axis of said pulley and mounted in fixed and substantially spaced relation thereto and at one side thereof, and a series of diagonally disposed guide-rods mounted between said guide-bar and said pulley in the path of thread travel and relatively close to said guidebar, whereby the threads are guided from one cone step to the next in untwisted relation.

4 2. Inathreadtensioninsmaohinaaoonetensionlng pulley having steps of prosressiveiv s'reater diameter toward the delivery end thereo! andeachstepbeingadaptedtosupportapiurality of threads. means to rotate said pulley. a

guide-bar parallel to the axis or said pulley and mounted in fixed and substantially spaced relation thereto and at one side thereof, a series of diagonally disposed guide-rods mounted between said guide-bar and said pulley in the path oi thread travel and relatively close to said guidebar, whereby the threads are guided to succes' sive cone steps in untwisted relation, and means to secure said guide-rods in selected angular positions and all in one horizontal plane.

3. In a thread tensioning mechanism for a double covering machine, means to equalize the tension in a bunch of rubber threads, a pair 01' delivery rolls, one at each side of said double covering machine, means to rotate said rolls, and means to guide a portion of said bunch of threads to each delivery roll.

4. In a thread tensioning mechanism for a double covering machine. means to equalize the tension in a bunch of rubber threads, a pair oi. delivery rolls, one at each side of said double coverlng machine, a comb for each delivery roll, and means to rotate said rolls, and a portion 01' said bunch of threads being guided to and drawn through each comb by each delivery roll.

ANTHONY SCHIAPPA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Neidel Feb. 15, 1949 

